The Sjambok (also known as the litupa) is traditionally associated with South Africa and has a somewhat dubious reputation owing to its association with the apartheid era. The original whips were made from the hide, or even the penis, of the adult hippopotamus.

A strip of the animal's hide would be cut and carved into a strip between three and five feet in length and the whip would be tapered from one inch at the handle end, to about three-eighths of an inch at the end.

The strip was then rolled usually between heavy metal plates, until it was circular, producing a flexible, tough and hard-hitting whip.

The sjambok was used by cattle and oxen drivers, in their migrations across Africa.

The South African police used a plastic version of the whip for crowd-control.

Today Hippo hide is pretty scarce and not commercially viable, so Cold Steel decided to make a synthetic version of the classic Sjambok.

Featuring a thick, beefy lash, injection molded from polypropylene and equipped with a soft comfortable Kraton handle designed to resemble braided leather, the synthetic Sjambok rivals the look and performance of even the most expensive originals.

What’s more since it’s made entirely from super tough plastic it’s impervious to the elements and will never break, crack, shrink or mildew like leather is prone to do.